I got a letter today
Postmarked my country
Knew the scribble
Ringer wrote in charcoal
Million acres of cattle roaming
Ringer taught me how to ride
Always wore his blue shirt
Boss gave him, before he died
His charcoal from the fire
Became his only pen
Still, I could read him
So long ago, my cheery friend
He was droving cattle
Down the mighty Murray
His horse bolted
Ringer lost his balance
Aboriginal stockmen amazing
This time Ringer gave his leg
Caught in the stirrup
He rode no more
He wrote about his woman
His children loved him so
Ringer my friend
Rest your weary head
I bought him some pencils
Colours of our land
Sent them up by post
My special friend
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Author Notes
Contest entry for free verse poetry. This is fiction based on my knowledge of horses, aborigines and cattle. Ringer worked the cattle, a special man in every way, now he's an artist of his land; like so many tribal people in the outback.
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